Summer is peak season for zucchini recipes. This tender green summer squash has a delicate, mild flavor that’s delicious in any form, both cooked and raw. It’s the perfect veggie for a healthy diet because it blends so well with many other foods. Zucchini is loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber, making it the perfect low-calorie ingredient for your weight loss plan. Plus, zucchini is considered a non-starchy vegetable on the Nutrisystem program, so you can eat as much of it as you’d like without worry.
These days, many people are trying zucchini noodles in their recipes, which you can easily make yourself with a handy spiralizer tool. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can also pick them up in the produce or frozen food sections of many grocery stores. “Zoodles” make an ideal substitute for standard pasta, which tends to be loaded with unwelcome carbs. This veggielicious alternative to pasta has the same texture and satisfying slurp-ability as other noodles.
To inspire you to take advantage of summer’s bounty of green squash, we put together this list of our favorite recipes that feature zucchini. It includes whole meals, sides and snacks that are easy to make and just right for hot-weather eating.
Celebrate summer squash season with these 20 healthy zucchini recipes:
Counts as: 1 PowerFuel, ½ Vegetable and ½ Extra
These easy-to-prepare chicken bites are crispy on the outside yet tender and juicy on the inside. They come with a half-serving of vegetables that’s good for everyone at the table. Don’t be surprised if these nuggets become a new family favorite!
Counts as: 1 PowerFuel, 1 SmartCarb, 2 Vegetables and 1 Extra
Whether you’d rather not eat meat or just want a meal that’s filling but won’t weigh you down, vegetarian meatballs are easy to make and delicious. Pair them with quick-cooking zucchini noodles and you’ve got a hearty meal that will satisfy the biggest appetite.
Counts as: 1 PowerFuel, 1 Extra and 1 Vegetable
Mac and cheese can be a part of your healthy eating plan when you make it with zucchini noodles and low-fat cheese. We added some flavor and texture variety by tossing in roasted broccoli, onions and sweet potato cubes, but you can make it with any non-starchy veggies you like.
Counts as: 2 PowerFuels, 2 Vegetables and 2 Extras
Pad Thai may sound exotic, but it’s a simple dish made with lots of veggies, juicy shrimp, crunchy peanuts and sauce that’s sweet and as spicy as you like it. To cut down on the calories and excess carbs you get in the takeout variety, we used zoodles, which you can enjoy to your appetite’s content.
Counts as: 1 PowerFuel and 1 Extra
Fire up the grill and let the flames bring out the flavors of tender chicken breast and your choice of fresh summer vegetables, including zucchini, onions and potatoes. We gave this dish a tropical flair by including chunks of sweet and juicy pineapple.
Counts as: 1 PowerFuel, 1 Extra and 1 Vegetable
Zucchini boat recipes are another popular way to enjoy this non-starchy veggie. Sausage, marinara sauce and ricotta cheese are the makings of a classic Italian dish. Mix them up along with peppers, onions and fragrant seasonings, then load them into zucchini boats for a simple but filling meal.
Counts as: 1 SmartCarb and 1 Extra
Zucchini bread recipes are a popular way to sneak some veggies into your diet. So many people love this sweet summer classic, so we had to come up with a simpler and healthier way to make it. This version has all the tastes you love—including honey, cinnamon and nutmeg—plus applesauce and an egg to ensure it comes out of the oven moist and scrumptious every time.
Counts as: 1 Vegetable and 1 Extra
Load up a serving of summer veggies with flavor but not excess calories. Start with coins of zucchini, broccoli florets, chunks of peppers, onions and cherry tomatoes. Marinate them in a simple dressing, then grill or roast them until they begin to brown at the edges and become as sweet as can be.
Counts as: 1 Vegetable and 2 Extras
These fritters are like crispy and savory pancakes, only with a healthy serving of vegetables baked right in. Dip them in a quick-and-easy sauce that hits all the flavor buttons, from sweet to salty.
Counts as: 1 SmartCarb, 1 PowerFuel and 1 Vegetable
With this one-dish meal, you can enjoy the zesty flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine without all the fats and excess calories. We scooped out whole zucchini and refilled them with a spicy mixture made with beans, jalapenos, salsa and shredded cheese. Heat them to melt the cheese and tenderize the zucchini, then serve with all the extra salsa you want (it’s a Free Food).
Counts as: 1 SmartCarb, 1 PowerFuel and 1 Vegetable
Pesto is easy to make but packs a powerful punch of flavor. We whip it up using farm-fresh basil, protein-rich pistachios and plenty of Parmesan cheese. Toss it with roasted veggies like sweet peppers, artichoke hearts and a hearty serving of zoodles.
Counts as: 1 SmartCarb, 2 PowerFuels and 1 Vegetable
Start with succulent shrimp seasoned with garlic and red pepper flakes to your taste. Add fresh veggies of your choice and serve atop of a steaming serving of tender zucchini noodles ready for twirling. Now you’ve got a restaurant-worthy meal you can enjoy at home.
Counts as: 1 SmartCarb, 1 PowerFuel, 1 Extra and 1 Vegetable
The air fryer lets you turn raw ingredients into rich, flavorful meals in minutes. You can forget about piling on extra fats and cleaning up a messy kitchen. This one-dish recipe makes a satisfying breakfast or dinner any day of the week.
Counts as: 1 Nutrisystem Dinner and 2 Vegetables
Are the Meatballs in Marina Sauce from Nutrisystem on your list of favorite meals? Take these protein-rich meatballs to the next level by serving them with a bowl of tender zoodles coated in our savory sauce. “Spaghetti Night” has never been so good and good for you.
Counts as: 1 PowerFuel and 3 Vegetables
If you like Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken, you’re going to love this lighter version. You get plenty of cheese, a serving of protein-packed chicken breast and a pile of zucchini noodles for only 386 calories per serving.
Counts as: ½ SmartCarb, 1 Vegetable and 1 Extra
Instead of the usual fat-laden summer sides, try this crunchy slaw flavored with a sweet-and-tangy dressing and a spark of fresh mint. It’s made with napa cabbage, often stocked with the Asian vegetables in supermarkets.
Counts as: 1 SmartCarb, 1 PowerFuel, 1 Vegetable and 2 Extras
Get a taste of a beach vacation in your own kitchen with this easy “seafood bake.” Just toss together fresh shrimp, potatoes, zucchini, onions and your favorite herbs. Heat and eat inside crimped and folded foil. Summer eating made easy!
Counts as: 1 SmartCarb
Yes, you can enjoy homemade muffins and stay on track with your weight loss plan. These lean, green muffins are moist and lightly sweet but packed with nutrition, featuring applesauce, cinnamon and bananas.
Counts as: 2 PowerFuels, 2 Vegetables and 1 Extra
Zesty buffalo sauce and the gooey goodness of melted cheese transform simple ground turkey and fresh zucchini into a flavorful meal. It’s loaded with protein and fiber yet low in calories, so you stay full for hours after you finish.
On Nutrisystem, Count As: 1 PowerFuel, ½ Extra and 1 Vegetable
Nothing says summer like summer squash! Throw that summer squash on a kebab and you’ve got the perfect seasonal dish for warm weather and sunshine. These Shrimp and Scallop kebabs pack in the lean protein and fiber-rich veggies for a nutritious dish that satisfies.
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